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Jan 8, 2012

Hide and Sweep

Happy first week of January! Or as I like to call it, "the time of year the Valley gets cold and dark and I struggle to function at a semi-normal level and not just hide for a month."

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you'll know that January is tough month for me. While December brings small joys with the bustle and holiday insanity, January is quiet and cold. The wind whistles against the windows, and although we know that the light is returning, we still wake to darkness and the sun seems to ride too swiftly through the sky.

While I work on my wellness this Winter, it's important for me to remember that my energy has seasons too. January and July will never be my peak months. Giving myself a break, and realizing I don't have to be a perpetually bubbly ray of sunshine who magically gets all things done in perfect time with poise, is my mantra for the month. (Yes. It is a rather long mantra.)

Instead of tackling new projects when my creativity is low, I'm using my little energy in other ways. Organizing, going through my clothes and giving away those that I just don't wear anymore, cleaning the forgotten places (the top of the refrigerator, behind the desk,) are all small ways of making space for new energy to flow. So when inspiration does hit, I'll have whatever I need at my fingertips and be ready to go!

The above photograph of Dexter hiding in the Maiden's Grass was taken two days ago. The weather here in Southern British Columbia has been stunningly mild for this time of year. New grass is coming up, buds are plumping on the trees, and I have a few little lettuce seedlings coming up in the garden (we had a hot spell last Spring after the rains and my lettuce bolted and must have left seeds behind.) Although it snowed last night, the forecast is for more mild weather.

With the weather so forgiving this Winter, I'm hoping my hiding spell will be short. I'll endeavour to pop in as much as possible, but if my blogging falls short this month, you'll know why. Thanks in advance, as always, for your amazing support!

I always find January to be bleak and empty feeling. Not sure why and then I get a surge of creativity and I'm filling up a sketchbook page and thinking of things I want to write. Over all I usually spend this time of the year hibernating and letting things simmer and cook for when it's time for things to start growing.

In the end it is on our own hands whether we will keep January cold and dark, or whether we will light a candle every night, for example, and sit back with some tea (or cocoa) and a good book. Just because there is no official holiday doesn't mean we don get to have a wonderful time.

Mild here in Ontario as well, although we had a couple of cold days last week. No snow yet, and I like a bit of snow to brighten up the landscape. I burrow in the winter, quite wallowing in the dark. We've been cleaning our spaces as well, my mind enjoys the calm from the clean. The top of my fridge has been neglected. Maybe on the weekend...

while we are enjoying the uncommon mild winter weather, we have to remember as much as we enjoy it, it is not normal and could be devastating later. So let us send energy to those that don't believe in global weirding to change their ways!!

Dexter is mighty handsome peeking out (Smile). Our weather has been mild also , I'm having a hard time holding myself back from the garden. I really should take your cue , sort through some clothes I no longer wear and clean the top of the refrigerator. It's amazing what the top of my frig collects (LOL).

~good morning dear rue...enjoy the quiet as best as you can...such a sweet little photo above...the weather i too have to agree has been the mildest of mild...not even much rain for us here during the fall and now winter...though snow may come forth in a few days...and yes i am saying it for all to hear...i want some snow in our winter days!!! be well my friend...much love light and blessings~

Well Hello! And happy new year to you! As I read your post today, I couldn't help but realize that you and I share the exact same 'icky' months of the year. January is ALWAYS the worst for me...can't stand it! I get those seasonal blues, and Jan. is when they hit hardest. I too, would prefer to do nothing but hide out in my house and watch movies for the entire month if I could! And like you, I detest July as well.

They are like the 'valley' months that I am forced to sink down into, in order to come out of them and head up the glorious mountains of the other months and seasons that I love so much. They are necessary evils, if you will! So I am here commiserating with you my friend! And your plan of action sounds like a great one...I shall follow suit! Sending you lots of positivity and light for the new year ahead! :o)~ W

We've been experiencing an unseasonably mild winter here in Toronto this year, too - even milder, I'm told than what my family in the Okanagan have been enjoying. Still, I completely understand about what you mean regarding that you have more energy and stamina at certain times of the year.

I have the same reaction. We've been lucky here in Roanoke. It's been a lovely, mild winter...until this week. brrr I'm hiding this weekend, myself. Love getting seed catalogs now and thinking warm thoughts.